VA Pay Raise: VA Lawyer's Break Down
The 2026 VA payment rates are here, but many veterans are asking: Is a 2.8% COLA increase really enough?
In this video, VA Lawyer Greg Rada and veterans advocate Victoria Rada explain what the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) means for VA disability benefits. As experienced VA lawyers, they break down how the rate is determined, when the new payments start, and why the numbers might not reflect real-world inflation for disabled veterans.
What You’ll Learn:
Are COLA increases automatic, and do they happen every year?
How the VA calculates new disability payment rates
When the 2026 VA disability rates take effect (and when you’ll see your payment)
How dependents, SMC, and DIC benefits are affected
What to do if your dependents have changed, and how to avoid VA debt
Even though the 2.8% increase may not meet expectations, understanding how these VA rates impact your monthly compensation and long-term disability benefits is crucial.
📅 Effective Date: December 1, 2025
💰 First Payments Arrive: Late December or early January
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Video Chapters"
00:00 | Intro
00:25 | Are VA increases automatic?
00:37 | Do VA rates always increase?
00:55 | How VA COLA is calculated
01:15 | 2026 VA COLA revealed: 2.8%
01:30 | 2025 vs 2026 VA rates
02:04 | Why VA site hasn’t updated yet
02:53 | VA lawyer breaks down rate chart
03:22 | Dependents and VA compensation
03:51 | Update dependents to avoid VA debt
04:20 | COLA for SMC & DIC benefits
04:43 | When 2026 VA rates take effect
05:15 | Government shutdown & VA pay
08:20 | VA Lawyers’ final thoughts
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Need help with your VA claim or appeal? Book a FREE consultation:
➡️ https://rebrand.ly/after-service-book
Contact Attorney, Gregory M.Rada:
➡️ [email protected]
Gregory M. Rada, Attorney at Law, specializes in VA disability compensation appeals for disabled veterans and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) appeals for surviving spouses. Mr. Rada gives legal counsel to veterans who are unable to work due to injuries and disabilities sustained while on active duty.
As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Rada, can relate to his clients, and as a disabled veteran, he also has special insight into the disability claims process. His experience was a drawn-out ordeal that took eight years from initial claim to completion, so he understands the consequences of filing a VA disability claim without adequate preparation or legal counsel. In fact, Mr. Rada eventually hired a fellow VA benefits lawyer to bring his appeal to a successful conclusion.
With this unique experience, Mr. Rada sympathizes with those who have to wait years and even decades for their claim to be approved – and strives to help expedite those claims to get disabled veterans the financial support they deserve.